The Power of Portion Balance in the Era of “Make America Healthy Again”
In the national conversation about improving health and nutrition, much of the focus tends to be on what we eat: more fruits and vegetables, less added sugar, leaner proteins, whole grains. But often overlooked is an equally important factor: how much we eat.
Portion balance — choosing the right amount of food and beverages to meet energy needs without over- or under-consuming — is one of the most practical, scalable, and effective levers we have to improve public health. The“Make America Healthy Again” era offers a unique opportunity to position portion balance as a unifying strategy that advances prevention, sustainability, and equity. It offers a bridge for bringing both sides to the table to carry this important conversation to improve personal health forward.
Why Portion Balance Matters
At its core, portion balance is about helping people find a sustainable middle ground between too much and too little. Over the past several decades, portion sizes in the U.S. have increased dramatically, often exceeding dietary guidelines. This “portion distortion” is strongly linked to rising rates of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.
By reintroducing portion balance as a cultural norm, we can:
Focus on disease prevention: Balanced portions support healthier calorie intake, better blood sugar management, and improved weight control.
Promotes sustainability: Right-sized portions reduce food waste and overproduction, easing the strain on food systems and the environment.
Advances equity: Clear, accessible guidance on portions empowers consumers across demographics to make healthier choices without requiring specialty diets or costly products.
In other words, portion balance is not just a personal health strategy — it’s a population-level intervention with ripple effects across society.
Portion Balance and “Make America Healthy Again”
The “Make America Healthy Again” movement emphasizes prevention and individual autonomy as the foundation of better health outcomes. Portion balance delivers directly on this promise. Rather than focusing exclusively on eliminating foods or demonizing categories, portion balance provides an inclusive approach: most foods and beverages can fit into a healthy pattern when consumed in the right amounts.
This matters for industry leaders, too. Aligning product innovation, marketing, and labeling with portion balance principles not only meets consumer demand for healthier options but also demonstrates a proactive commitment to public health. As consumers increasingly ask not just what to eat, but how, companies that integrate portion guidance into their offerings will be well-positioned to lead.
The Portion Balance Coalition: Tools for Change
The Portion Balance Coalition (PBC) was formed with a simple mission: to raise awareness and foster demand for portion-balanced food and beverage options that promote healthier lifestyles. By bringing together cross-sector stakeholders — from food manufacturers and retailers to health organizations and academics — the Coalition seeks to make portion balance the cultural default rather than the exception. We’re thrilled as a collaborator you are part of this mission today.
One of our flagship resources, the Power of Portions Report, highlights the scientific evidence behind portion balance and its role in improving diet quality, reducing chronic disease risk, and supporting sustainable consumption. The report provides practical insights for both consumers and industry leaders, showing how simple shifts in portion size can drive significant health outcomes.
Looking Ahead: A Practical Series
This blog series will explore the “how” of portion balance, translating science into actionable strategies for industry professionals. Each installment will spotlight a different dimension — from product innovation and consumer education to cultural shifts and policy levers — with the goal of empowering stakeholders to put portion balance into practice.
Our guiding belief is that portion balance is not about restriction; it’s about empowerment and sustainability. By helping consumers enjoy the foods and beverages they love in balanced amounts, we can improve health, reduce disparities, and build a more resilient food system.
As we embark on this series, we’re humbled to have you join us in rethinking the power of portions — and in making portion balance a cornerstone of “Make America Healthy Again.”
Stay tuned for alerts from portionbalance@georgetown.edu and follow us on LinkedIn for evidence-based insights, tools, and strategies to help make portion balance part of the future of food.